Ukraine proposes 'doable solutions' in Druzhba oil dispute as tensions with Hungary escalate
Ukraine has proposed several "doable solutions" to resolve its oil transit dispute with Hungary over the Druzhba pipeline, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, Politico reported on Feb. 24.
The dispute has intensified tensions between Kyiv, Budapest, and Bratislava, as disruptions to Russian oil flows trigger political and economic pressure across the region.
The conflict centers on the Druzhba pipeline, a major route supplying Russian crude through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. The pipeline has been offline since late January following a Russian strike.
Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of withholding transit for political reasons, claims Kyiv rejects. Both countries escalated the standoff on Feb. 18 by halting diesel exports to Ukraine.
The dispute has since spilled into broader EU decision-making. Budapest blocked new EU sanctions against Russia and a planned 90 billion euro ($107 billion) EU loan for Kyiv.
Sybiha said Kyiv remains open to cooperation and has proposed options to resolve the situation.
Ukraine was "ready to act constructively," Sybiha said.
The minister also questioned Budapest's motives, suggesting the issue is being used in domestic political competition ahead of elections.
"We demand Budapest stop dragging Ukraine into Hungary's domestic politics," he added.
The Druzhba network, one of the world's largest oil pipeline systems, remains a key source of supply for Hungary and Slovakia — widely regarded as having the EU's most pro-Russian governments — and the only member states still importing Russian crude through the route.
At a recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting, EU ministers failed to persuade the two countries to withdraw threats against Ukraine over delays in restoring transit.
European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said on Feb. 20 that the bloc would welcome the pipeline's resumption, while stressing that the final decision rests with Ukraine.
